I completed this graphic novel review in exchange for a free digital copy via NetGalley.com.
Blurb:
From #1 New York Times Bestselling, Hugo Award-winning author, Brandon Sanderson (The Mistborn Trilogy, The Stormlight Archive series), along with Nathan Gooden, Jackson Lanzing, and Collin Kelly, comes Dark One, the first book in a series of original graphic novels, from Vault Comics.
Some worlds are made to be broken.
Paul Tanasin is a young man haunted by visions of a dark and fantastic world visions he initially believes are hallucinations. But when he discovers they are prophecies from Mirandus, a world in which he’s destined to become a fearsome destroyer, he’ll have to embrace the fear, rise up as the Dark One, and shatter everything. Dark One examines the dual roles we often take on in life―the ability to be a savior as well as a destroyer.
Lets start this out by talking a bit about mental health, which is what our protagonist starts out believing his ( Paul ) hallucinations are a product of his own mind and is seeing a shrink about it. Yes, he hides the delusions at first, possibly embarrassed about what people might think because of his supposed delusions. He doesn’t even tell his shrink. Things like this can fester into an uncontrollable flame if not talked about: but we should hold discretion about who we talk to about it. What makes me especially mad is when people intently fester someone’s mental health flame in the completely wrong way in order for some sort of domination. Fun fact: very little known species outside of humans antagonize out of joy or get laughter from other’s misfortune. If you’ve watched bloopers or funny videos on YouTube.com where people get hurt, then you laugh you have participated as well. Don’t worry, it’s a natural reaction as I have as well; I only aim to get your gears turning . . . I mean, think about it. Don’t get me wrong: a bit of pressure is a good thing, if applied properly – so the line is not very black and white which leads to the main theme in this book along with a contrast between what might be considered a sort of utopian society where black and white is clearly drawn:
The good ‘ol debate of good and evil, the yin and the yang is what this book hammers into the ground. Brandon Sanderson’s The Dark One Vol. 1 sincerely addresses these lines about how what is good and what is evil exclaims the fact that it is never as easy as black and white and does a stellar job at it by addressing something called the narrative which is a predestine story across two different lands.
If you had to pick a side and the sides were called darkness and lightness, do you know which you would pick? If the narrative was pre-destined would that change your answer? This is deeeeeeeeeeeeep.
Paul is followed by a ghost named Nikka that is his sister, but Paul claims he doesn’t have a sister. Upon reading the book, this becomes clear in the story and Brandon Sanderson and the artists do a splendid job covering the issue of good vs. evil in regards to pre-destiny that is completely re-written as the story closes. Even though I received this for free, I do plan on buying a copy at some point. It was just that good.
I haven’t read any of Sanderson’s other work, but this book leaves me wondering if his other words stand up to this at all.
Recommendation:
While not particularly cutting edge in the realm of good vs evil, Sanderson employs modern story telling techniques in order to contrast our world, which is not so black and white with a otherworld where black and white is very cut and dry, leaving us with a the grass is not always greener on the other side mentality, which is great and refreshing at the same time. ★★★★★ Five stars out of five all day, every day.
Do you think there is such a thing as good and evil? Do you know anyone that you believe is completely evil or completely good?
Guys and gals, until next time – may you find all the happiness that your life can fit in it’s happy spot – S.D. McKinley.
